ACBDD
Special Edition DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AWARENESS MONTH, MARCH 2026
Inclusion is the main event in 2026 By Kevin Davis Superintendent of ACBDD
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What began as a single community demonstration has since grown into what is believed to be the first march of its kind in the region (and possibly the state) focused specifically on developmental disability awareness. Since then, other communities have followed Athens’ lead, adopting similar marches in their own observances. Kevin Davis, Superintendent of ACBDD for more than a decade, has overseen many different awareness activities over the years, but says the march holds a unique place. “Over the years, we’ve done different things,” Davis said. “We may have a movie night, a Teen Time dance, or partner events with other agencies.
ersonal stories have a powerful way of building understanding, cultivating appreciation, and reminding us of what is possible when people of all abilities are supported and included. While those of us who work at the Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities could easily list our many initiatives and programs, the most meaningful way to share our work is through the voices and experiences of the people we serve. Each March, Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month invites communities nationwide to recognize the diverse abilities of individuals with developmental disabilities and to celebrate their contributions. At the ACBDD, this work does not begin or end in March — it is part of our mission every day of the year. Still, this month provides a special opportunity to pause, reflect, and share our story more broadly. This year’s theme, “Inclusion Is the Main Event,” underscores a simple but powerful idea: inclusion is not optional, secondary, or symbolic. It is central to thriving communities. True inclusion means people with developmental disabilities are welcomed, valued, and meaningfully engaged –
See MARCH, Page 14
See DAVIS, Page 15
The annual March on Court Street event kicks off Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in Athens County. Believed to be the first of its kind in Ohio, the annual march in downtown Athens promotes access and inclusion for county residents with disabilities.
How ACBDD’s March on Court Street became a new Athens County tradition By Emile Stark for ACBDD Special Edition
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ach year, the first Friday of March brings a powerful and visible statement of inclusion to uptown Athens. Individuals with developmental disabilities, their families, advocates, and community partners gather on Court Street to participate in the Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities’ annual March on Court Street, an event that has become both a local tradition and a model for communities beyond the county. The march serves as a cornerstone of Developmental Disability Awareness Month, a nationwide observance
led by the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities. While ACBDD hosts a variety of activities throughout March, the March on Court Street stands out as one of the agency’s most public and symbolic event, designed to elevate visibility, celebrate self-advocacy, and affirm that people with developmental disabilities belong in every part of community life. The March on Court Street began in 2018, inspired by the Athens Women’s March, and was quickly approved in partnership with the Athens City Police Department. From the start, it was intentionally scheduled for the first Friday of March to serve as one of the first visible kickoffs to Developmental Disability Awareness Month.